Advertisement

President Barack Obama has confessed to the Prince of Wales that Americans like British royals better than their own politicians Credit: PA

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall met Barack Obama on a visit to the White House today and were told by the President that British royals are more popular among Americans than US politicians.

Mr Obama told Charles: "I think it's fair to say that the American people are quite fond of the royal family," and the prince replied: "That's awfully nice to know."

The US president then joked: "They like them much better than they like their own politicians," and Charles added with a laugh: "I don't believe that."

Prince Charles and Barack Obama in the White House today Credit: PA

The US leader sat down for informal talks with the couple in the White House's famous Oval Office in front of dozens of photographers, journalists and cameramen.

Charles even pointed out one of the Sun newspaper's veteran royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, to the President.

He told Mr Obama Edwards had been photographing the prince for more than 35 years and when he added that the first president he had reported on in the US was Ronald Reagan, the American leader replied: "Awesome."